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Etin Skin Solution found to contain corticosteroid betamethasone

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the British Association of Dermatologists are today warning people NOT to purchase or use Etin Skin Solution, a lotion claiming to treat skin conditions and known to have been supplied from various Asian and African beauty shops.

Etin Skin Solution was brought to the attention of MHRA by a consultant at Birmingham Childrenâ€™s Hospital who became concerned following a complaint by a patient. Investigations to identify the source of this product are being conducted.

MHRA has recently tested samples of the lotion and found it to contain variable amounts of the corticosteroid betamethasone. Etin Skin Solution is not authorised for use as a medicinal product in the UK.

Corticosteroids are prescribed to treat inflammatory skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis. Long-term use can cause skin thinning and can worsen conditions such as eczema. Another listed ingredient is clotrimazole which is used in anti-fungal medications.

There are strict legal requirements in place in the UK relating to the sale, supply, manufacture, distribution and advertising of medicinal products. The legislative controls seek to ensure that products meet certain quality and safety standards; a breach of these legal requirements may constitute a criminal offence. The MHRA investigates any report of suspected illegal activity concerning medicines, or medical devices, and takes appropriate action.

MHRA senior policy advisor, Lynda Scammell said â€œOur advice to anyone who is using this product, particularly on young children and babies, is to discontinue use immediately. People seeking help for skin conditions should discuss alternative treatments with their healthcare professional. Medicines containing corticosteroids should only be given under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.â€

Professor Celia Moss, Consultant Dermatologist at Birmingham Children's Hospital and one of the hospital's staff who brought the product to MHRA's attention, said: â€œWe discovered the availability of this product after it had been used on the skin of a baby in our care. A nurse from my team visited the shop where it had been purchased and found it was freely available on one more than one occasion. We reported this to MHRA and are pleased it has been investigated and action taken.

â€œHowever this is just one outlet and it is hard to police every supplier. We are therefore warning people not to use Etin and to report its sale to MHRA. Anyone using a steroid lotion such as this is likely to perceive some short-term benefit, because steroids make red skin look paler. This is because steroids constrict blood vessels in the skin. Unfortunately on discontinuing the product the redness may come back, which of course makes people want to continue it. But to do so is unwise, and after a few days the skin will revert to its previous appearance.â€

Dr Firouz Mohd Mustapa of the British Association of Dermatologists said: "Milder steroids for short-term, localised use can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacist, but potent steroids such as this must be prescribed by doctors, who follow strict criteria when prescribing them and monitoring patients using them. This is because they can suppress the skinâ€™s response to infection, can thin the skin, and if applied long term over a wide area, particularly in babies and children, can cause other medical problems.

â€œFor babies and children, NICE guidelines set out clear recommendations on when it is appropriate for dermatologists to prescribe these potent or very potent steroids, the appropriate locations of the body on which they can be used and the duration of treatment. Sale of potent steroid creams directly to the public is illegal for good reason."